Topic: Prophecy

Introduction

Read:

1 Thessalonians 5:19–22: Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

1 Corinthians 14:1–5: Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

Illustration:

“I have a word from the Holy Spirit! We are welcoming the new Ethiopian year, 2012. This will be a year of prosperity. 12 is an abundant number. This is the year God would accomplish a miracle in this country. … hallelujah!” So said Apostle Tamrat in September of 2019 (on the ferengi calendar). The problem? The year 2012 brought us one of the most difficult year of our lives, as COVID-19 hit the world, and it would end with the elections up north that began the civil war. 2012 was anything but a year of prosperity.

As we all know, these kinds of false prophecies run in abundance in our city and throughout our country. Just turn on one of the 24-hour local channels on TV and what do you see? Self-appointed prophets and apostles claiming “The Holy Spirit spoke to me.” It’s everywhere. You can’t escape it. The air is thick with it.

And so much of the younger generation of Ethiopians are skeptical of the church and skeptical even of God. Why? Because they have seen the lies again and again and again.

Bridging the Gap:

And this misuse of prophecy, it’s not something new in our day. No, this has been around for thousands of years.

When Jude describes false prophets he calls them “waterless clouds” in (Jude 12).

Illustration: For a farmer in desperate need of rain for his crops, seeing a dark cloud on the horizon gives him hope, but when the cloud blows by and no rain comes, the farmer finds all of his hopes crushed once again. Jude says these false prophets are just like this. They promise prosperity, but they never deliver.

False prophets have been at this game for a long time. In fact, perhaps the strangest false prophesy happened just a few years after the resurrection of Jesus. Turn with me to 2 Thessalonians 2.

2 Thessalonians 2:1–3: Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way.

In just the first few decades of the church, false prophets and false prophecies had already done such great damage, and the state of the first century church actually resembled the state of the 21st century church very much.

Paul isn’t writing to healthy, joyful churches. He’s writing to broken, wounded, and hurting churches. Churches that have been overturn by false teachers and false prophets. And how does Paul respond to the misuse of the gift of prophecy by encouraging these hurting churches. By saying to them, “I know the hurt you’ve suffered. I know your temptations. I know your fears. Trust me. Don’t despise prophecy. Instead, pursue it.” Why would he say this?

Because Paul was convinced that the correct use of prophecy was vital to the health of the church.

Paul says as much in Ephesians 4 when he says that Jesus himself gives the church the gift of prophecy. And why does he give it?

Ephesians 4:11–15: Christ gave prophets [ . . . ] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

For Paul, the correct use of prophecy was an essential mark of a healthy church, because prophecy is one of the way that Jesus, the shepherd of our souls, cares for us, his sheep.

Prop:

Prop: Because Jesus cares for his church through the gift of prophecy, we must faithfully pursue the gift of prophecy. (x2)

But before we explore together this gift of prophecy and how we might rightly use it in our church, let’s take a step back together and define the gift of prophecy.

Jeff Purswell, the Dean of the Sovereign Grace Pastors College in the US defines prophecy this way,

“Prophecy is a verbal report in human words of something God has spontaneously revealed, shared for the purpose of edification, encouragement, and comfort.”

Wayne Grudem supports this definition when he says,

“Although several definitions have been given for the gift of prophecy, a fresh examination of the New Testament teaching on this gift shows that it should be defined not as “predicting the future,” nor as “proclaiming a word from the Lord,” nor as “powerful preaching”—but rather as “telling something that God has spontaneously brought to mind.”

When Christ, out of his deep love for his bride, gave gifts to her, prophecy was among them. He loves us, and one of the ways he shows his love for us is through the gifts of his Holy Spirit. And through the gift of prophecy, Jesus guides us to himself and into deeper faith in his gospel. And the church must embrace, not reject, such a precious gift from her husband.

Because Jesus cares for his church through the gift of prophecy, we must faithfully pursue the gift of prophecy.

There’s a glorious gift here to be discovered so let’s look at our two texts together this morning and learn more about this kind gift from our kind Savior.

MP1: Don’t Despise, but Discern (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)

Read:

1 Thessalonians 5:19–22: Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

Explanation:

Paul begins his instructions about the gift of prophecy by exhorting these believers against quenching the Holy Spirit’s work.

Illustration/Explanation:

The activity of the Holy Spirit here is compared here to a flame. Paul says here that, while the Spirit is moving among this young church, there are some people there who are pouring water on the flame, taking a fire extinguisher to his activity in the church and in their own personal lives.

Now, this is not to say that we are more powerful than God or to say that God can only accomplish his will if we corporate. But there is a very real warning here that we need to be aware of: there can be times that God moves to work in our lives and we reject it.

Application/Illustration:

Have you ever felt from the Spirit giving you grace to resist temptation only to sill sin?

Or have you ever felt the urge to pray or read your Bible and you choose not to?

That’s the Holy Spirit at work, and we reject it. Oh, what grace we might have experienced in those moments if we had followed the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Explanation:

Paul uses this category of quenching the work of the Spirit and applies it in one particular way.

“Do not despise prophecies.”

Do not quench the Spirit’s activity among the gathered church by despising prophetic words. The word Paul uses for despise here carries with it a sense of wholesale rejection, or thinking of the prophecies as if they served no purpose in the life of the church.

It’s used to describe the way the Pharisee looked at the tax collector in Jesus’ parable: it’s nothing; I’m superior.

It’s also used of the way Harod and his soldiers thought of Jesus as they mocked him and beat him: it’s laughable; it’s a joke.

Apparently, in the Thessalonian church, there were some in the congregation who thought this way when someone would share a prophetic word in the church.

It’s not worth my time.

I have better things to think about.

This is just embarrassing.

Why did they feel this way? Likely because of the broad misuse of the gift of prophecy in their midst. Just a brief survey of the New Testament shows us the kind of the misuse of prophecy in the early church. Some of these include:

Prophets demanding money to serve their own selfish desires (2 Peter 2:3).

People using prophecy to make themselves look like a super christian instead of loving and encouraging the church (1 Corinthians 13:2).

Prophets insisting that their words are superior to Scripture, and that no one should question the prophet (1 Corinthians 14:29).

People losing all control of their bodies, emotions, and thoughts during prophecies (1 Corinthians 14:32).

This was the cause for many in the Thessalonian church to despise prophecy, and my fear is that it would be for many of us also. Because much of the errors surrounding the gift of prophecy present in the early church are still seen today.

Application:

Do you find yourself weary of what you see in the average pente church in our city? Do you find yourself discouraged by how many are deceived? Were you, yourself, tricked by the false hopes and promises of a so-called man of God?

If you sat down with these first-century believers and shared your weariness, I think they would look you in the eyes and say through tears - “you’re not alone.” “That happened to me too.”

And as for pastor Paul, he would come alongside you, and with tender and compassionate eyes, he would listen to your story, and after sympathizing with you I think he would come along side you like he does these Thessalonian believers and say, “now, please, be careful not to despise this gift. It’s good, and when rightly used, it brings comfort and joy like none other.”

Transition:

And that’s precisely where Paul goes in verses 21-22. To believers who have suffered deeply from the misuse of the gift of prophecy, Paul wants to make a correction, but he doesn’t correct by commanding that the gift be abandoned, but used properly. He corrects the abuse of this gift, not by commanding disuse, but proper use.

1 Thessalonians 5:21–22: but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

Explanation:

Paul commands here what should be the right response to prophecy, not despising it, but testing it.

You see, while the misuse of prophecy leads to all kinds of errors, discouragement, and destroyed lives, the proper use of prophecy builds up the church, encourages the church, reminds the church of the gospel, and helps focus the church on Jesus Christ. But for prophecies to have their intended use in the church, they must be tested by the church. The testing of prophecy doesn’t quench the Spirit, but ensures the intended effect of the Spirit’s work through the gift of prophecy.

Here’s the principle: don’t be cynical nor gullible, but discerning. Don’t despise the gift of prophecy. Don’t believe every so-called prophetic word. Rather, evaluate and test prophecies to ensure that they are genuine and not a false prophecy.

Application:

But how are they to be tested? Paul doesn’t say here, but it is possible to piece together several New Testament texts to see how the early church tested gifts of prophecy:

First, the Biblical Test. Does the prophecy contradict or undermine Scripture? Paul says as much in 2 Thessalonians 2:15. After correcting the false prophecy, Paul exhorts his readers to,

2 Thessalonians 2:15: So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

This is affirmed by our Lord as well. Remember what Christ himself said that the Holy Spirt would do when he came John 14:26?

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you

The heart of the ministry of the Holy Spirit isn’t looking for something new, but looking back to something ancient. The Holy Spirit reminds us of what Christ has already said in Scripture.

What this means is that prophecies should never distract us from the Bible, tempt us look beyond the Bible, or contradict the Bible.

And because prophecies are to be tested in accordance with Scripture, this must mean that prophecies must not carry the same weight or authority as Scripture. No, New Testament prophecies are very different, it seems, than the kind of prophecies given by men like Isaiah, Jeremiah, or Daniel. We see this just in the fact that Paul commands that prophecies should be tested whereas his letters, which are inspired Scripture, should not be tested. Just compare Paul’s command to test prophecies in 1 Thessalonians to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:37-38,

If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

There’s to be no testing of the words of Scripture, and if wants to give a prophecy but they don’t want to do it the way the Bible prescribes, they need to sit down. No one is to recognize them as a prophet and no one is to recognize any of their so-called prophetic words.

The Bible alone, is God’s inspired, inherent word. And we build both our theology and lives on the Bible, not on prophecies. We don’t need a “fresh word” from God; no, the Bible, and the Bible alone is the fresh word of God for our lives. And while we could look at a number of texts which show this, perhaps my favorite is Hebrews chapter 3 verse 7.

Hebrews 3:7: Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice.

Here the Author to the Hebrews quotes Psalm 90 to his audience, but before doing so he says, “as the Holy Spirit says.” Not “as the Holy Spirit said.” But “as the Holy Spirit says.” And while this is clear in the English it’s even more clear in the original, we could translate it like this, “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit is saying.” And then he quotes the Bible.

Yes, the Holy Spirit spoke when the Bible was written, but he continues to speak every time the Bible is read. There’s no more relevant, more fresh word of God than the Words of God we read right here in this Book. These words are still warm from the breath of his mouth.

And along with this, we believe fully that the Canon of Scripture is closed, never to be reopened. So when we experience the gift of prophecy in our church we don’t have someone in the back writing down the words so that we can add another book to our Bibles. No, there are no words like these Words.

Second, the Christ-Exalting Test. As Michael reminded us in his sermons on The Work of the Holy Spirit last year, the primary work of the Holy Spirit is to exalt Christ in the lives of those for whom Christ has died.

English Standard Version Chapter 15

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

Put simply, because the Holy Spirit’s ministry is exalting Jesus, we expect prophecies to exalt Jesus, and more specifically, prophecies must exalt the work of Christ in the gospel.

Prophecies must not distract from Christ by bringing attention to anyone other that Christ. Instead, prophecies come to us in our neediness and point us to the altogether loveliness of Jesus Christ, and they satisfy us in his work on our behalf. They build up and encourage the church in the gospel.

When we’re feeling condemned by our sin, prophecies remind us that there is no condemnation in Christ, for he has paid for all of our sins on the cross.

When we’re feeling doubts in the goodness and kindness of God, prophecies remind us that God never forsakes us because his eternal love for us was put on full display when Christ died for the ungodly.

When we’re feeling like getting lost and retreating from the community God has given us, prophecies remind us that the death of Christ founded the church, and the community of the church is for our good.

When we’re feeling that the depth of our sin is greater than the love of Christ, prophecy reminds us that no matter how far we’ve fallen, his mercy is always more.

Third, the character test. We test prophecies based on the character of the person giving the prophecy. Does the prophet have a godly lifestyle? Does the way they lives their life reflect the kind of transformation that the gospel brings? Or does their lifestyle show that they knows nothing of the gospel?

Our Lord says as much in his Sermon on the Mount,

Matthew 7:15–23: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven...On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

If these prophets truly know and understand the gospel, teir lives will honor the gospel by showing the character of Christ. And how different is this than many of the prophets and apostles of the prosperity gospel movement whose lifestyles bring great shame to Christ and his gospel?

False prophets who pit the Spirit of God against the Word of God.

False prophets who promise that sick relatives will be miraculously healed only for those loved ones to go on and die.

False prophets who live lavish lifestyles while giving no thought to the poor and the needy.

False prophets whose teaching drive people away from Christ and shipwreck the faith of their hearers.

False prophets who demand the kind of respect and authority that only Christ himself rightly deserves, and who would never suggest that their prophecies be tested by Scripture, but instead say “don’t touch the Lord’s anointed.”

My deep fear is that many of the self-proclaimed prophets in our own city will hear these words from Christ on the last day: “‘I never knew you; depart from me.” Oh, that the gospel of Christ would grip this city and her false prophets, and that the truth of the gospel would conquer all. Oh, God may it be!

Explanation:

So these are our three prophecy tests. 1) Does it align with Scripture? 2) Does it build up the church? 3) Does the person giving the prophecy possess a godly character.

These tests are good gifts from God. They protect us. They keep us from being deceived.

That’s how we test prophecies. But the next question we should ask is who - who is responsible for testing prophecies? Well, the direct context of 1 Thessalonians 5 is the elders of the church back in verses 12-14, but 1 Corinthians 14:29 says

English Standard Version Chapter 14

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

And as we only have one ordained elder in our church now, that responsibility especially falls on Michael’s shoulders. But very shortly our men in the Pastors College also will take that very serious task as we seek to honor the Lord in our use of this gift. But, in another very real way, we are all responsible, when we listen to prophecies in our church, to test it ourselves.

Explanation:

Paul then moves on to tell us what to do after a prophecy is tested in verses 21 and 22:

English Standard Version Chapter 5

hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

While we are to reject prophecies that do not meet the tests, we are to fully embrace those that do. Because the Spirit addresses us through this gift. He encourages us through this gift. He exalts Christ through this gift, and we are meant to enjoy this gift and to hold fast to true expressions of this gift.

Paul describes the effect that prophecy can have on us when we hear it in 1 Corinthians 14:24-25,

1 Corinthians 14:24–25 ESV

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

Has that ever happened to you when a prophecy has been shared in our church? Have you ever felt that way? Like God is speaking into the details of your life in a way that only he could? I could tell you many stories of how I’ve seen this happen firsthand,

There was a woman I knew who was experiencing chronic sickness. She went to many doctor and could never find the answers she needed. And she often felt alone and abandoned by God. Well, one day, someone who didn’t know her and was visiting from another Sovereign Grace church had a prophetic expression that she felt like was from God. She saw a picture of that woman crying alone in a brown chair. She continued to describe the chair in details including the fabric and the colors on the back of the chair. Little did she know that she was describing in precise and accurate details a chair in this woman’s living room, a chair that she cried in every single day. The woman giving the prophecy then encouraged the sick woman by saying that God sees her pain and her tears, and that she’s not alone.

A friend of mine told me a story of a time he walked onto an airplane, and when he passed by a man sitting near him, he sensed that the Lord gave him a single word “Lacey.” My friend sat down in his seat and leaned over to the man, and simply said, “this may sound weird to you, but I think God wants me to ask if the name ‘Lacey’ has any significance. The man broke down in tears. You see, he was married, and he was on that flight to go and see a woman named Lacey whom he planned to have an affair with. My friend shared the gospel with him, and he came to know Christ.

A woman in another Sovereign Grace church was participating in an evangelistic program in their church, and an old man who was an unbeliever was in attendance. This man seemed very cold to the things of God and was sitting alone not willing to talk with anyone. The woman came up to talk to him, and as she did she received a prophetic picture that she shared with him. It was a picture of this old man working on his car, and scattered all over the floor was the pieces of the car. She said that she sensed that the man has long felt like those scattered pieces, incomplete, and unfinished. She asked the man if that made any sense to him, and he responded through tears that he had felt just like that almost all of his life. That man sensed the presence and nearness of God and he accepted Christ that night.

And I know many of you would share similar stories about how prophecies given on Sunday mornings here at church have exposed your own heart, and turned you once again to the truth of the gospel. We experienced that even last Sunday.

My friends, does the Spirit move among us? He does. As the secrets of our hearts revealed through prophecy, the Spirit comforts, encourages, and consoles us, and he points us back to the truths of the gospel so that we might have further confidence in the gospel.

Transition:

And because the Spirit is at work in our midst, we must ensure that we do not quench the Spirit’s work through prophecy. But Paul goes a step beyond that. He doesn’t just tell us to not despise prophecy, but in 1 Corinthians 14:1, he says

1 Corinthians 14:1: Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

Because Jesus cares for his church through the gift of prophecy, we must faithfully pursue the gift of prophecy.

MP2: Pursue Prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1)

Explanation:

It’s not enough for us to simply not despise prophecy or to discern prophecy, no, because Jesus cares for his church through the gift of prophecy, we must faithfully pursue the gift of prophecy.

But before we’re able to answer the question “how” we can pursue prophecy, first we need to ask the question “who can prophesy?” Is prophecy somehow limited? Is it reserved for only a select few Christians? Or perhaps, as some say, it’s a gift that is no longer available for the church today, and was only given to the first century church.

SP1: Who can prophesy?

SSP1: The Gift of Prophecy Continues Today.

I have many friends who believe that some of the spiritual gifts have ceased and are no longer available for Christians today. I love deep love for those friends. And I share with those friends a deep love for Scripture and I hold in equally high regard the sufficiency of Scripture. But we lovingly disagree on this particular topic. Michael and I both believe that all of the gifts available to the first century are available for Christians today and that they should be actively pursued. Actually, it is my and Michale’s love for Scripture and our high regard for Scripture that brings us to that position, because Scripture is what tells us about the gifts and how to use the gifts.

There are two passages of Scripture that tell us when the gifts will cease, and both of them say that the gifts will cease at the second coming of Christ. We don’t have time to look at both of them, but if you’re interested write down Ephesians 4:1-16 to read later, and come to our Ephesians class to hear me teach about it there.

Look with me at 1 Corinthians 13:8-12,

1 Corinthians 13:8–12: Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

When do these gifts cease? When we have unhindered access to God. When we see him face to face. My friends, this can be no other day than what John describes at the end of the Bible,

Revelation 21:3–4: And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”

Revelation 22:4: and they will see his face.

These gifts - all of them - will cease when, and only when, we see our Lord face to face. And until then, we must faithfully pursue them.

Transition: Now we can answer the question “who.” Who can use the gift of prophecy? Only some Christians? Only apostles? Only pastors?

SSP2: The Gift of Prophesy is Available for All Christians

Look back at 1 Corinthians 14:1. Who is it written to? The whole church. Every member. No exceptions.

We read this earlier in our Scripture reading

Acts 2:17–18: “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

The gift of prophecy is available for every Christian. Now, that doesn’t mean that every Christian will experience the gift of prophecy or that the only true evidence that you are a Christian is that you use the gift. But it does mean that no member of the church should ever think that the gift of prophecy is only for super Christians, because it’s not. It’s for everyone.

Transition: So then, how do we do it? How do we pursue the gift of prophecy? And how do we use it?

SP2: How can we purse prophecy?

I’d like to leave us with five simple ways for us to pursue the gift of prophecy as a church.

SSP1: Purse Prophecy by Loving Your Church

Look back down with me at 1 Corinthians 14:1. Before we pursue the gift of prophecy, we must first pursue love for our church.

Why?

Because prophecy is a gift Christ has given to build up his church. Remember? It is given for our encouragement, comfort, and consolation. And so we must love the church first before we are able to prophesy.

Look back at 1 Corinthians 13:2

1 Corinthians 13:2 ESV

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Love is far more important than prophesy, and prophecy apart from love is nothing. Christ gives the gift of prophecy to show us his heart, and our hearts must match the heart of our Savior so that we can minister his love to others.

SSP2: Purse Prophecy by Knowing the Gospel

Prophecy points us back to the gospel and reminds us of the gospel. So, if we don’t know the gospel, how can we remind people of the gospel?

By studying the gospel, and meditating on the gospel, and knowing the gospel, we come to know even more the heart of Christ himself.

Before prophecy reminds us that Christ is tender and compassionate towards sinners, the gospel tells us that Christ is compassionate towards sinners.

And as we come to know the heart of Christ in the gospel, we are better able to recognize and communicate prophetic impressions that the Holy Spirit gives to us.

SSP3: Purse Prophecy through Prayer and Fasting

God wants to give to us the gift of prophecy, but he also loves to hear his children ask him for the gift. He loves to hear our hearts. He loves to see our longings for the gift so that we might love and serve his church.

Christ himself says this in Luke 11,

Luke 11:9–13: And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

In prayer, we come to our Father asking him directly for the gift.

In fasting, we show that our desire to experience the presence of the Spirit is stronger even than food.

And our good father loves to give the Holy Spirit to his children who come asking.

SSP4: Purse Prophecy by Listening

After we’ve asked, we come expecting God to answer our request. We come listening, seeing if he is speaking to us, seeing if he would have something for us to share.

For me, this often happens as I’m praying, singing, or meditating on the Scripture reading. Sometimes, when I think the Spirit is speaking to me, I stop singing so that I can listen better.

And I test what I’m hearing with the tests I mentioned earlier.

Then, after we listen, there’s nothing left but speaking.

SSP5: Purse Prophecy by Speaking

After all this, there comes a time to speak and share.

Now, there are many good and faithful ways we can do this, but let me share for a moment the way we’ll be doing this here at Trinity Fellowship. I’m sure you’ve seen times when someone has come to Michael here on the front row and started talking to him. I’ve done it. Others have too.

They aren’t talking about what their lunch plans are or just greeting one another. No, the person who comes to talk to Michael is bringing him a prophetic impression that he thinks he should share with the church. And what is Michael doing? Michael is listening. He’s testing the prophecy. He’s seeing if it’s faithful with Scripture. Does it point people to the gospel? Does it encourage? Is it in line with how the Holy Spirit is already directing us in the service?

And after he’s thought through what he’s hearing, he will tell them if they can share it or not.

Maybe he’ll say that this is perfect. Maybe he will say, “there’s nothing wrong with this, but I don’t it’s for this Sunday.” Maybe he will say, “I think you’re hearing from the Spirit, but I wonder if we could change the way you’re saying it so that the gospel is more clear?”

If he thinks it will encourage the church, they will come up to AB’s mic and share with the church.

Now, I have to admit, coming to your pastor with this can be a frightening think. I know! Actually, before I ever shared my first prophecy at church, I think I was told “not this week” over 20 times. But I kept coming. So if you don’t get to share, don’t worry. No one is judging you. You haven’t messed up. You haven’t sinned.

And if you don’t get the chance to share, don’t become discouraged. Just keep pursuing love for our church and encouragement of our church through the gospel.

And that’s what this gift is ultimately about. It’s not about the gift, it’s about the giver. It’s about Jesus Christ, the shephard of our souls.

Before Jesus gave us the gift of The Holy Spirit, he gave us the gift of himself. When he came from heaven for us men and for our salvation.

Jesus came to earth, not to call us to a gift, but to rescue us from eternal seperation from himself.

He came, and he called the hurting, and the broken, and the sick, and the sinful, and gave eternal satisfaction and joy, not in a gift, but in his person.

Because Jesus, and Jesus alone, is altogether satisfying, altogether lovely, and he is everything our souls desire.

And as the Son of God was hanging upon the cross, taking upon himself the just punishment for sin that we deserved, God the Father was crushing him. God the Father was punishing him for the sins we committed.

God the Son, guilty for sins you and I committed. God the Father, just in punishing his Son.

And God the Holy Spirit. Where was he? Oh, he was there. He was right there. Watching as divine justice was executed and divine mercy extended.

And when the Son ascended on high as the Lord of all, Jesus, out of his deep love for us, sent to us the Helper, the Holy Spirit, that he might testify to us of what he saw that day - to remind the church whom Christ bought of that good news that her sins are atoned for and she is eternally loved and welcomed by God. Jesus, who loves us with an eternal and everlasting love, sent us his Holy Spirit that we might know, and feel, and experience the presence of God and remember that gospel.

And that Holy Spirit, he’s speaking to his church through the gift of prophecy. To remind us of the gospel. To grow us deeper in the gospel. To convince us more fully of the truth of the gospel.

So let’s together pursue this gift together, for the glory of Christ and the good of his church, let’s pursue this gift together.

Because Jesus cares for his church through the gift of prophecy, we must faithfully pursue the gift of prophecy.

Conclusion

And as we seek to love our church through this gift, there is good news and there is hope for all of us is this: this gift, this wonderful gift, is temporary. As we said earlier, the day is coming when we will no longer need to be reminded of the love of Christ for us through prophecies, why?

Because we will be looking directly into the eyes of the one who loved us and gave himself for us. Because, although now we see Christ dimly, the day is coming when we will see him face-to-face. And we will no longer need any reminders of his gospel and the work that he has done, for he will tell us himself. And we will forever know the deep affections of our kind and gracious Lord.